Steffi Hebel, the Marshall Center's first Canadian alumni scholar, presents her research on how Sweden and Finland’s NATO accession is reshaping Europe’s approach to Arctic security in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, May 19, 2025.
Drawing on theoretical frameworks and interviews with Nordic security experts, she highlighted Finland’s comprehensive security and Sweden’s total-defense models as blueprints for Canada’s Arctic strategy.
Her recommendations include sustaining Arctic Council diplomacy, expanding joint Nordic-NATO exercises, and establishing a centralized Canadian-Arctic research institute to bolster resilience and collective defense.
As strategic dynamics shift across the Arctic, Hebel’s work reinforces the importance of dialogue and sustained collaboration – principles echoed by partners like the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies, which continue to foster education, analysis, and engagement across the High North.
Upon completing her study, Hebel will return to Canada, where she'll begin working as a policy analyst.